Delimitation Issue in India
A significant issue threatening the unity between Northern and Southern states in India is the question of delimitation. The crux of the matter lies in the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha, which is governed by the Constitution of India.
Constitutional Mandate
- Article 81(1): Limits the Lok Sabha to a maximum of 530 members from states, with an additional 20 representing Union Territories.
- Article 81(2): Requires seats to be allocated proportionate to each state's population, maintaining a similar ratio across states "as far as practicable."
- Article 82: Mandates readjustment of seats after each Census under the Delimitation Act, 2002.
Historical Context
- From 1951 to 1971, seat adjustments occurred after every decennial Census.
- The 42nd Amendment during the Emergency froze seat allocation based on the 1971 Census, delaying further readjustments until after the 2001 Census without explanation.
- The 84th Amendment in 2002 extended this freeze until 2026 to encourage population stabilization through family planning programs.
Demographic Disparities
The population growth disparity among states challenges the principle of proportional representation:
- Population increase from 2001 to 2026 is estimated at 38.2% for India.
- Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand: 55.33% and Bihar and Jharkhand: 51.4% increase.
- Tamil Nadu: 15.5%, Maharashtra: 28%, Karnataka: 24.2% increase.
Challenges and Implications
Given the uneven population growth, the principle of proportionality is deemed impractical:
- Disparities lead to unequal representation, e.g., Goa and New Delhi, northeastern states.
- Increased number of MPs or MLAs does not guarantee better legislation or governance.
- Higher costs without benefits, given Article 75(1A) limits ministerial strength to 15% of the House's size.
Proposed Solutions
To address these issues, several recommendations have been proposed:
- Complete the Census but halt delimitation based on population proportionality.
- Amend Articles 81 and 82 to freeze the current strength of Parliament and assemblies.
- Place a constitutional cap of 550 members in the Lok Sabha to prevent unrest and maintain unity.
Otto von Bismarck's quote, "Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable — the art of the next best," underscores the need for practical solutions to the delimitation issue.
In conclusion, maintaining the current parliamentary structure and avoiding disruption is essential for national unity.